You won’t give your child Pixy Stixs or Tootsie Rolls for breakfast, right? But some juices contain an astonishing amount of sugar –some the equivalent of a handful of candy.
As kids head back to school this week, parents are taking a closer look at what they put in their children’s lunch boxes.
At least 16 states in the U.S. have enacted legislation to limit the consumption of sugary drinks in schools. Some restrictions require that juices be made with 100 percent fruit, with no added sweeteners, while others rule out sodas and carbonated beverages.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA) the average 1 to 3 year-old consumes around 12 teaspoons of sugar a day, 21 teaspoons a day for 4 to 8 year olds, and over 34 teaspoons for 14-18 year-olds….
…“A little sugar is not harmful for a child. It really comes down to their entire diet for the day. When serving a beverage with added sugar, pay attention to the serving size and make sure it isn’t replacing a more nutritious choice,” said Keri Gans, registered dietitian and author of The Small Change Diet.
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